Japanese traffic signals and other driving fun

[matsuki]

Just got back from that fun 2 hour lecture for license renewal but had to bring up this gem. Apparently they just created a band-aid law to fix a "fucked if you do, fucked if you don't" situation that many were ticked for yet, nobody (besides the police and those they ticketed for it) seemed to know about.

So BEFORE they added the band aid fix, if you wanted to make a U-turn at an intersection and pulled into a right turn lane, were presented with a solid red light and a green right turn arrow, it was illegal to make a U-turn I'm not talking about an intersection where U-turns are illegal or a signal with 5 other red arrows. Just a simple signal with a solid red light with a green arrow to the right. The law basically was written so that you had to wait until you got a solid green light to make a U turn...even more fucked because at many intersections, the solid green is accompanied by a red right turn arrow. (divide by zero) So what was happening is 99.99% of drivers would make the illegal U-turn (and some would get ticked) and 0.01% of drivers (most likely cops) would pull up and stop, effectively blocking the flow of traffic in that lane despite the green arrow, until they got a solid green. From the explanation I got, it sounds like a "higher up" police officer (or his wife?) stopped at one of these intersections that basically NEVER allowed for a U-turn despite it being legal. After being ticketed for obstructing traffic/illegal parking, he pointed out the "glitch in the matrix" and was somehow able to get the obscure law amended to allow for U-turns on a right green arrow.

I was able to vent a lot of stress by posing a bunch of "why are the signals like this?" type questions and fluster the fuck out of the instructor (he was a good sport though) to everyone's amusement but, not like I expected anything more, got no more than "this is just how it is setup" type answers. On the other hand, I got a good talkin' to regarding my citations that is making me reconsider disputing the tickets. Apparently, even when the prosecutor dismisses the criminal case against you, you are totally fucked when it comes to points on your record. The only way to get the points removed is if the prosecutor takes your case, you win, and only then are you able to have yet another court case to determine if the points stand or will be removed. (likely a year after the incident) At that point, the points are likely already gone from your record. Now the prosecutor is only likely to take your case if there is evidence against you (in which case you're fucked before going to court) so basically disputing the ticket is only likely to save you the cost of the ticket (but at the risk of a criminal trial/record) and you're likely going to still have the points on your record. The dude explaining it all to me was quite experienced with paying tickets and basically said "Think of if like bribing the cops in Mexico, Thailand, etc....only in Japan the whole system is setup around bribing it to not further pursue you with criminal charges." He literally said "Welcome to North Korea, you just suck it up and play by their fucked system or suffer. Everyone thinks it's fucked but it's not worth anyone's time to change it. Though a criminal record and jail time for an "illegal turn" or "burned out brake lamp" is likely to get laughed at by most other countries, obviously the powers that be here have decided it is a serious enough offense so with all things considered, most just sign, pay and seethe about it to their friends."

[omae mona]

Great story choko. How many times did I do that illegal u-turn in the meantime? Jeez...

[matsuki]

Great story choko. How many times did I do that illegal u-turn in the meantime? Jeez...

Exactly...makes zero sense so (for once) they made a decent change. (though it's pretty dismal to see it took them this long to realize it was a problem...and I'm sure it didn't hurt their pockets)

[matsuki]

Just got back from renewing insurance on the shaggin' wagon....no accidents, flats, etc. so rates got cheaper....agent noticed the lemur has a gold license, put it in her name and the rates got waaay cheaper. On good terms with this shop and he basically said you can grab any family member or friend with a gold license (that's agreeable to it) to put the policy in their name and get the gold license rates. Score!

[wagyl]

flats, etc.

Wait, wait, punctures influence your insurance rates? And people actually declare them??

[matsuki]

flats, etc.

Wait, wait, punctures influence your insurance rates? And people actually declare them??

Apparently they do if you use the insurance "free" roadside assistance.

That being said, I always carry a repair kit and compressor...takes about 5 mins to repair something like a nail or screw puncture in the tread. Rather do that myself and be on my way than wait an hour for whoever they send to come out and spend the rest of the day making an easy fix into a teeth sucking session of monumental proportions.

[Wage Slave]

You don't carry a spare?

[matsuki]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

[Wage Slave]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

Hmmm. I have seen the kits in the shops. So how does it work? Find the puncture, pull out the nail/screw etc, Drill the hole out and insert a plug. Just hammer home or or there some cement as well?

And it is really that simple and foolproof? If so, I shall be doing my own repair next time I get a puncture. Not sure I'll go out and get a kit though because I have had one puncture in the last 13 years or so. Tyres these days seem to be a lot better or is that just my imagination?

Not sure repairing at the roadside is easier though - I can change a tire in no time at all after all the practice with the winter tyres. On the other hand the spare is only rated for 80km/hr so on an expressway trip ....Much rather have a proper spare really.

[Yokohammer]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

Hmmm. I have seen the kits in the shops. So how does it work? Find the puncture, pull out the nail/screw etc, Drill the hole out and insert a plug. Just hammer home or or there some cement as well?

And it is really that simple and foolproof? If so, I shall be doing my own repair next time I get a puncture. Not sure I'll go out and get a kit though because I have had one puncture in the last 13 years or so. Tyres these days seem to be a lot better or is that just my imagination?

Not sure repairing at the roadside is easier though - I can change a tire in no time at all after all the practice with the winter tyres. On the other hand the spare is only rated for 80km/hr so on an expressway trip ....Much rather have a proper spare really.

If it's "tire goo" you just squirt it in via the air valve. It creates a coating of glop all over the inside surface that seals the leak. Normally. Not a permanent fix though. It does make an awful mess that can be a problem when the tire is eventually changed though. Still, it's quick and easy, and it works.


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[Wage Slave]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

Hmmm. I have seen the kits in the shops. So how does it work? Find the puncture, pull out the nail/screw etc, Drill the hole out and insert a plug. Just hammer home or or there some cement as well?

And it is really that simple and foolproof? If so, I shall be doing my own repair next time I get a puncture. Not sure I'll go out and get a kit though because I have had one puncture in the last 13 years or so. Tyres these days seem to be a lot better or is that just my imagination?

Not sure repairing at the roadside is easier though - I can change a tire in no time at all after all the practice with the winter tyres. On the other hand the spare is only rated for 80km/hr so on an expressway trip ....Much rather have a proper spare really.

If it's "tire goo" you just squirt it in via the air valve. It creates a coating of glop all over the inside surface that seals the leak. Normally. Not a permanent fix though. It does make an awful mess that can be a problem when the tire is eventually changed though. Still, it's quick and easy, and it works.

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I never had much success with that stuff. Unless it was a pinhole puncture it didn't work and as you say - what a mess when the thing needs to be fixed properly. Perhaps though it's got a lot better. Many things have.

[Yokohammer]

Yeah, my dealer always says that if there's any way you can get to a service station and have the puncture plugged properly, do it. If done right it's pretty much a permanent fix that will last for the life of the tire. No need to replace the tire(s) ASAP, and no mess. Unfortunately that's not always possible.


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[chibaka]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

Hmmm. I have seen the kits in the shops. So how does it work? Find the puncture, pull out the nail/screw etc, Drill the hole out and insert a plug. Just hammer home or or there some cement as well?

And it is really that simple and foolproof? If so, I shall be doing my own repair next time I get a puncture. Not sure I'll go out and get a kit though because I have had one puncture in the last 13 years or so. Tyres these days seem to be a lot better or is that just my imagination?

Not sure repairing at the roadside is easier though - I can change a tire in no time at all after all the practice with the winter tyres. On the other hand the spare is only rated for 80km/hr so on an expressway trip ....Much rather have a proper spare really.

I don't have a spare, my car comes with a pump and a bottle of snot, OK for most punctures but not all. I had a nail in a tyre a while ago and Eneos charged me 2500円 to plug it. So I bought a repair kit http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cityliner/10260476/

Had another problem last month with a screw in a tyre, it took 30 minutes with taking the screw out, inserting the plug and waiting for the cement to set.
Good points: Worth the cost, easy to do
Bad points: may wait years to use it again

[matsuki]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

Hmmm. I have seen the kits in the shops. So how does it work? Find the puncture, pull out the nail/screw etc, Drill the hole out and insert a plug. Just hammer home or or there some cement as well?

And it is really that simple and foolproof? If so, I shall be doing my own repair next time I get a puncture. Not sure I'll go out and get a kit though because I have had one puncture in the last 13 years or so. Tyres these days seem to be a lot better or is that just my imagination?

Not sure repairing at the roadside is easier though - I can change a tire in no time at all after all the practice with the winter tyres. On the other hand the spare is only rated for 80km/hr so on an expressway trip ....Much rather have a proper spare really.

I don't have a spare, my car comes with a pump and a bottle of snot, OK for most punctures but not all. I had a nail in a tyre a while ago and Eneos charged me 2500円 to plug it. So I bought a repair kit http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cityliner/10260476/

Had another problem last month with a screw in a tyre, it took 30 minutes with taking the screw out, inserting the plug and waiting for the cement to set.
Good points: Worth the cost, easy to do
Bad points: may wait years to use it again

This is basically the kit you want. Patches are best but that requires removing the tire from the wheel and I've plugged a bazallion tires without one failure ever. Just remember the compressor as well!

Tht tire goo crap is an emergency deal, it doesn't always work so great and will ruin that wheel...meaning the goo on the inside of the wheel will never come off and will mess with the balance. I'd rather call roadside assistance than use that shit!

[Russell]

Have that too as well as the OEM scissor jack and a nice weapon tire iron. Puncture in the tread can be fixed on the car though, no need to pull put the spare.

Hmmm. I have seen the kits in the shops. So how does it work? Find the puncture, pull out the nail/screw etc, Drill the hole out and insert a plug. Just hammer home or or there some cement as well?

And it is really that simple and foolproof? If so, I shall be doing my own repair next time I get a puncture. Not sure I'll go out and get a kit though because I have had one puncture in the last 13 years or so. Tyres these days seem to be a lot better or is that just my imagination?

Not sure repairing at the roadside is easier though - I can change a tire in no time at all after all the practice with the winter tyres. On the other hand the spare is only rated for 80km/hr so on an expressway trip ....Much rather have a proper spare really.

I don't have a spare, my car comes with a pump and a bottle of snot, OK for most punctures but not all. I had a nail in a tyre a while ago and Eneos charged me 2500円 to plug it. So I bought a repair kit http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cityliner/10260476/

Had another problem last month with a screw in a tyre, it took 30 minutes with taking the screw out, inserting the plug and waiting for the cement to set.
Good points: Worth the cost, easy to do
Bad points: may wait years to use it again

Is there an expiration date on those kits?

[Mike Oxlong]

I don't have a spare, my car comes with a pump and a bottle of snot, OK for most punctures but not all. I had a nail in a tyre a while ago and Eneos charged me 2500円 to plug it. So I bought a repair kit http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cityliner/10260476/

Had another problem last month with a screw in a tyre, it took 30 minutes with taking the screw out, inserting the plug and waiting for the cement to set.
Good points: Worth the cost, easy to do
Bad points: may wait years to use it again

Is there an expiration date on those kits?

Rubber will harden with age. Many tire shops try to get rid of their aging stock by offering deals. Past four or five years, the tires are already getting close to when small cracks will start to appear. The kits would probably need to be replaced at five year intervals.

[chibaka]

I don't have a spare, my car comes with a pump and a bottle of snot, OK for most punctures but not all. I had a nail in a tyre a while ago and Eneos charged me 2500円 to plug it. So I bought a repair kit http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cityliner/10260476/

Had another problem last month with a screw in a tyre, it took 30 minutes with taking the screw out, inserting the plug and waiting for the cement to set.
Good points: Worth the cost, easy to do
Bad points: may wait years to use it again

Is there an expiration date on those kits?

Rubber will harden with age. Many tire shops try to get rid of their aging stock by offering deals. Past four or five years, the tires are already getting close to when small cracks will start to appear. The kits would probably need to be replaced at five year intervals.

What he says ^^

I bought "bargain" tyres on the interwebs, some were 2009, not related to the nail issue though.
The repair kit rubber cement is sealed, so it should last some time.

[dimwit]

I have a bit of a theory that gas station employees go out in the middle of the night and sprinkle the roads with nails and screws to drum up business.

[chibaka]

I have a bit of a theory that gas station employees go out in the middle of the night and sprinkle the roads with nails and screws to drum up business.

In honesty, safety Japan? Nahhh, surely not.

I've had two, wifie's had one, be aware that if the nail is too close to the tyre sidewall it can not be repaired. The definition of "too close" may vary.

[matsuki]

Funny that I've never got a puncture here...and I drive more than most. In the US, I was constantly pulling screws and nails out of my tires.

Also, yessssss, holes in the sidewall are a no no. Time to replace the tire at that point...though I've only seen that once and it was when my crazy exgf slashing my previous exgf's tires. (or at least I think that's what happened...of course I got the blame until it was pointed out that was out of state at the time of the slashing)

[chibaka]

More driving fun... took this one last year. "Sorry officer, I selected reverse, honest"

IMG_20130205_113250_370-1.jpg

[chibaka]

Funny that I've never got a puncture here...and I drive more than most. In the US, I was constantly pulling screws and nails out of my tires.

Also, yessssss, holes in the sidewall are a no no. Time to replace the tire at that point...though I've only seen that once and it was when my crazy exgf slashing my previous exgf's tires. (or at least I think that's what happened...of course I got the blame until it was pointed out that was out of state at the time of the slashing)

Ever had this?
Lots of pot holes here in the sticks, changed this one this week....

IMG_20140904_112431.jpg

[Yokohammer]

Ever had this?
Lots of pot holes here in the sticks, changed this one this week....

What the heck is going on there? How old is the tire?

Looks like something that might happen with an old tubed tire.

[Mike Oxlong]

Looks like a separation where the tread starts pulling away from the casing. Potholes are one major culprit.

[chibaka]

Yes sidewall bulge usually caused by contact with a kerb or pothole. Some small roads around my place resemble Baghdad, so I'll assume it was a pothole.
However, the tyre was produced in 2009, I'm not sure if the age would make it more susceptible to this kind of damage, I know rubber degrades over time. Interweb tells me that instances caused by manufacturing defects are rare.

[Yokohammer]

Yes sidewall bulge usually caused by contact with a kerb or pothole. Some small roads around my place resemble Baghdad, so I'll assume it was a pothole.
However, the tyre was produced in 2009, I'm not sure if the age would make it more susceptible to this kind of damage, I know rubber degrades over time. Interweb tells me that instances caused by manufacturing defects are rare.

2009?! Virtually fresh from the factory!

The original runflats are still on my 2004 Z4, and they're still in great shape (even though I hate runflats and they're getting replaced with regular radials as soon as the damn treads wear down enough to make it worthwhile).

[chibaka]

2009?! Virtually fresh from the factory!

Yes, I wasn't too concerned when I ordered "discounted" tyres online, still not sure if age is related to the sidewall damage as I know this happens to newer tyres too. But.... I made sure about the replacement, it was made within the last 2 months....

[matsuki]

I'd still call manufacturing defect there, that shit shouldn't happen unless you have your tires overinflated and hit the pothole at insane speed.

[matsuki]

Thanks to my careful/deft driving, I've avoided killing anyone lately but I swear the suicidal jiji's and baba's are out in mass lately. Every time I get behind the wheel it's a new adventure. Yesterday was a baba running (ok, well, it looked like she was trying to run, just not going very fast) across the middle of a 4 lane street....today it's the takyubin dudes pulling their big ass truck over on a narrow street and then flinging their door open and hopping out without a care in the world. (almost took him and the door out) To top it off, according to the Niigata news, cases of both young and old entering the highway exits and driving the wrong way are increasing at some crazy rate.

[matsuki]

Can anyone enlighten me on the reasoning behind illuminating the overhead highway signs via remote projection? I used to think it was cute and maybe it made changing the bulbs easier....but last night I saw one get plowed over by a kei (dead?) and a few of the projectors on my route were buried in snow so I'm thinking it's not such an ideal design. (especially if they update to LEDs)